Willis gets win as Bats topple Hens

The Hens established an early 1-0 lead in the second when Ben Guez singled in Ryan Strieby.

The Bats battled back in the third. Andy Oliver offered a helping hand by giving up a walk to start the inning. Then, with two outs, Louisville’s leader in doubles, Zack Cozart, crushed a double to the center field wall to tie the game.

Louisville broke the deadlock in the sixth.

Oliver was strong through the first five innings, giving up just two hits. However, in the sixth, Louisville was able to get three hits off of Oliver, including RBI doubles from Devin Mesoraco and Juan Francisco. With one out, reliever Brendan Wise replaced Oliver. Although Wise gave up an RBI groundout that was charged to Oliver, he was able to stop the bleeding. With the bases loaded and two outs, Wise forced Louisville’s Cozart to strike out to keep the Hens in the game.

Willis was taken out after the seventh. Willis threw exactly 100 pitches, striking out seven and walking none.

With two outs in the ninth, Bryan Pounds roped a solo home run down the left-field line to trim the Bats’ lead to 4-2. However, the Hens fell short in their comeback attempt.

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